Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Yeah! I not only finished the quilt that I wanted to get done, but I will be teaching a class on it! I'm so excited that Sew Fun, a new fabric shop in Folsom asked me to teach for them. Now you know that quilting isn't my main thing. So I wanted to teach a class for other sewers like me. The untraditional quilter.

That's when I found this fun tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew. And when she said I could use it to teach as a class! I was so excited and a little nervous of course. But I could hardly wait to get to it!

The only thing that I really did modify on the pattern is that I used fabrics from a charm pack. So the squares are smaller, but it did make it a lot easier for me to make sure that the fabrics all complimented each other. And I do love charm packs! It's like a stack of fabric samples.

And this quilt was made using the American Jane fabrics from Sandy Klopp. Love Her!

Monday, October 25, 2010

I cleaned up my work room this weekend. Still not finished though! Are we ever finished picking things up and properly putting things where they belong?

I did start a new pile. A "to do" pile. All of unfinished projects! And it was too big, it toppled over. So there are now 2 stacks.

All are different sewing projects getting ready for my big show in December. Which I am nervous about. The usual dismay about will I have enough product, my display, and just the general will they like my things.

So to keep my stress level down, it helped me a ton to do some picking up! I strongly recommend it. It has made me feel like I can get it all done. Everything that I need to finish will be finished.

I thought that for the month of November I will be showing you my ufo's. Hopefully you will be motivated to finish your sewing too! Even if you don't have a craft show coming up, Christmas will soon be here!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Last Friday my girlfriend Karen and I went on a little road trip to Napa. Loaded with our Pumpkin Spice Latte and little treats we headed out. To our surprise it was only an one hour drive! Unbelievable :)First stop was Alice's Consignment. A fantastic shop that was having a fantastic sale that day. Like they knew we were coming!

Well they kinda did know we were coming because I was bringing them some of my katie jean handmade goodies. Christmas goodies actually. And what a perfect shop for my things to be in. Like they were meant for each other.

Alice's has room after room of goodies. There was something there for everyone, and I could not resist taking pictures to share with you. So I hope you can make it in. And if you do, say hello to Alice and her daughter Sarah! Sweet gals, both!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Welcome to my new blog! Well, my new blog on blogger :) I'm happy to be here again with the help of my talented friend Amy. She is my go to girl for everything smart, cute, and fun that I want to do online.

So first off - please follow me on my new blog here. And please leave me a comment to let me know I'm not alone.

I think I will have to do a giveaway. A nice little house warming gift for you! I'm not sure what yet. But I do have a nice stash of gingham that I recently bought at The Tin Thimble. I'll let you know.

Today I am at home sick, so I do have time to think about what I would like to make for you. I'm just not well enough to make it! So please check back with me soon. And yes... I like to take pictures of my fabric.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

My beautiful little lap top has a virus. So things here have been a little slow. My hub finally came home tonight and has time to fix it though. Hopefully! So for now, I am using the big computer that we usually send our kids to. And it also has none of my pic's on it.

So I have decided to share with you something that I have recently started collecting. Vintage tin recipe boxes.

I am just drawn to the graphics found on most of these. And the colors. They remind me of some of my favorite fabrics!

These tins are made even more fun to collect by a favorite manufacturer. One is Avon. Many are Ohio Art. Yup, the toy manufacturer. They diversified.

These pictures are all from Etsy. There are some really special ones on there. It is the best place to browse and find that perfect little bit of vintage that you long for.

Some of these recipe boxes are even made more special if they happen to come along with the recipe cards. I love to see the personal notes, like "Grandpa's Favorite", "Delicious", "Made for Judith's Wedding". They turn a simple box into a treasure.

Monday, October 4, 2010

The hopscotch scarf has been a katie jean staple for me to sew up. Just look at my website and you will see a great rotating picture of one on my little model. It's actually fabric therapy, going through my fabrics and laying them all out together, mixing it up. And then finding the perfect vintage chenille and minky to add to the back of the scarf to lay cozy against the neck.

This past week I have been busy making a few extra scarves. And this is the new style that I came up with. It has a fun ruffle going down one side of the scarf. It's like a caterpillar!

This is the not so scary halloween scarf. Which was extra fun to make since I found a bit of this perfect owl and cat fabric. And some pretty soft yellow minky! If you look at my girl's hand, you can tell how much she likes this fabric. She snuck a little piece of it out of my sewing room. It has now become yet another doll blanket.

And this is the scarf that you have a chance to win! If you visit Polka Dot Chair you will actually have 2 chances to win. Just read her post about the giveaway for you to see how. Good luck! And thank you for your sweet comments!